Chieti Travel Guide - Italy
1. Best things to do in Chieti
Chieti is a charming hilltop town with ancient streets and little alleys, lots of historical sites, churches and monuments going back to the Roman era and some from Norman times.
You can start visiting it from the Roman Amphitheatre, part of the Archaeological Park of enviable size, rediscovering culture that resides in every corner of Italy, today.
Another interesting archaeological area contains Roman temples devoted to pagan gods, well preserved to be discovered quietly and slowly. Moving away, far away, you will find Piazza Gian Battista Vico, a hodgepodge of styles and elements: from late Gothic to the Renaissance, with definite echoes of the fascist period.
The other gem is the Cathedral of San Giustino, ancient and solemn, enclosing a splendid crypt, filled with frescoes and marble. A real rest for eyes and soul.
The special feature is the small Theater Vecchio, smaller than the main theater Marrucino but wonderful from the point of view of the facade: colored with shades of brick red and red Pompeii, really quaint and picturesque.
The alleys of the center are picturesque too, giving the impression of being in a small southern Liguria, with green window frames and floors paved.
Do not miss Villa Frigerj with its spectacular gardens, trees and fountains with water features spectacular surely leave its mark.
2. The Maiella National Park, waterfalls of Rio Verde and surroundings
The territory is ideally divided between past and present. Its roots lie in the distant past. Within the province there are several centers of historical and cultural interest, like Vasto and its castle to be discovered or Lanciano and its catacombs, an essential step for fans of the genre. Do not forget the Medieval Guardiagrele, called the capital of wrought iron and Rocca S. Giovanni, one of the "most beautiful villages in Italy", then Fossacesia, with the beautiful abbey of San Giovanni in Venere.
Fara San Martino deserves a few words for its ancient and charming old Lombard history but even more for its brands of excellence “De Cecco”, unsurpassed pasta producers.
Famous badlands of Alento valley and the valley of the Forum that you will find in Fara Filiolum Petri, Bucchianico and waterfalls of Rio Verde in Borrello: a waterfall at times crystal of about 200 m. They are the natural waterfalls highest in Italy and among the largest in Europe.
The two artificial lakes of Bomba and Casoli and small oasis Serranella are beautiful too.
The mountain, which moves from the foot of the Majella National Park, offers a lot of winter sports centers such as Maielletta Passo Lanciano etc.
3. Nature, sport and green itineraries
Do not forget the coast, made of fine golden sand dotted with cliffs, culminating in the beautiful rocky coast of the Natural Reserve of Punta d'Erce, recalling the cliffs of Cornwall and Brittany.
Right on the coast enjoy a walk on the shores dotted by "overflow", read stilts linked to the mainland by bustling walkways resisting, obstinate, to the waves. Hudge monsters hanging over the sea, hardened by salt and caressed by fish.
4. Tastes and local food
Chieti brings to the table the flavors of the mountain mixed together with the flavors of the sea.
First of all we cannot speak of Abruzzo without speaking about “arrosticini”. Skewers of mutton, cut into small cubes, strung on each other as in a curious "square"abacus. They can be cooked on a "furnace" or directly over an open fire.
Not everyone knows that this province has the unquestioned primacy in the production of pasta so let’s taste excellent pasta alla chitarra, a typical pasta made on an instrument called guitar and pressed with a rolling pin to form, through the wires of the guitar very fine threads. Topped with sauce, ragout of beef or sheep and accompanied by a good Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
Typically regional delicacy is the porchetta. You will find it along all the roads of Abruzzo; try it hot in "L’altro pianeta”, in Colle Marcone, where you can enjoy typical seasonal products, strictly km 0.
We can finish earth dishes with “cac 'ov'” pallotte, meatballs made of cheese and eggs, mixed with stale bread soaked, afloat on a good amount of sauce.
Talking about the uniqueness of the sea, do not miss the famous broth to Vasto, with the fruits of the sea and land: vegetables and fish cooked together, served with bread.
The great fish will eat it along the teatina coast the restaurant-cafeteria "Stasera pago io" in Rocca San Giovanni.
All washed down with local wines. Montepulciano and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.
5. Where to stay in the city and surrounding
Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in the province of Chieti, bio hotels, little eco bed & breakfast overlooking sea andthe many organic farms..
Discover all eco-friendly accomodations in Chieti
Author: Angela Sebastianelli
Cover photo by: AaronP65, via Flickr
